Method and apparatus of transmitting training signal in wireless local area network system

ABSTRACT

A method of transmitting a training signal in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system includes generating one or more first training signals for a first destination station and one or more second training signals for a second destination station by applying a mapping matrix P to a training signal generation sequence, mapping the first training signals and the second training signals to a plurality of antennas according to an antenna mapping matrix, and performing Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) on each of the first training signals and the second training signals mapped to the plurality of antennas and transmitting the training signals through the plurality of antennas.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/965,635, filed on Dec. 10, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,042,484, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/285,524, filedon Dec. 10, 2009, the contents of which are all incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wireless communication, and moreparticularly, to a method and apparatus for transmitting a trainingsignal in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system.

Related Art

With the recent development of information communication technology, avariety of wireless communication techniques are being developed. Fromamong them, a WLAN is a technique which enables wireless access to theInternet at homes or companies or in specific service providing areasthrough mobile terminals, such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), alaptop computer, and a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), on the basis ofradio frequency technology.

Since Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802(i.e., the standard organization of WLAN technology) was set up onFebruary, 1980, lots of standardization tasks are being performed.

The initial WLAN technology was able to support the bit rate of 1 to 2Mbps through frequency hopping, band spreading, and infraredcommunication by using a 2.4 GHz frequency band in accordance with IEEE802.11, but the recent WLAN technology can support a maximum bit rate of54 Mbps by using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (OFDM). Inaddition, in the IEEE 802.11, the standardization of various techniques,such as the improvements of Quality of Service (QoS), the compatibilityof Access Point (AP) protocols, security enhancement, radio resourcemeasurement, wireless access vehicular environment for vehicleenvironments, fast roaming, a mesh network, interworking with anexternal network, and wireless network management, is put to practicaluse or being developed.

Furthermore, as a recent technology standard for overcoming limits tothe communication speed considered as vulnerabilities in the WLAN, thereis IEEE 802.11n which has recently been standardized. The object of theIEEE 802.11n is to increase the speed and reliability of a network andto expand the coverage of a wireless network. More particularly, theIEEE 802.11n is based on a Multiple Inputs and Multiple Outputs (MIMO)technique using multiple antennas on both sides of a transmitter and areceiver in order to support a High Throughput (HT) having a dataprocessing speed of 540 Mbps or higher, minimize transmission errors,and optimize the data rate. Furthermore, the IEEE 802.11n may use notonly a coding method of transmitting several redundant copies in orderto increase data reliability, but also an Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiplex (OFDM) method in order to increase the data rate.

With the spread of the WLAN being activated and applications using theWLAN becoming diverse, there is a need for a new WLAN system forsupporting a higher throughput than the data processing speed supportedby the IEEE 802.11n standard. A Very High Throughput (VHT) WLAN systemis one of IEEE 802.11 WLAN systems recently proposed in order to supportthe data processing speed of 1 Gpbs, or higher. The term ‘VHT WLANsystem’ is arbitrary, and a feasibility test for MIMO and a system usinga channel bandwidth of 80 MHz or higher is in progress in order toprovide the throughput of 1 Gpbs or higher.

In order to handle an increase of the number of spatial streams that canbe used to send data and to support MIMO transmission for multipleusers, a method of generating and sending a training signal for thechannel estimation of spatial streams between a transmission station anda reception station needs to be taken into consideration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of generatingand sending a training signal in a WLAN system and an apparatussupporting the method.

In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method oftransmitting a training signal in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)system, including generating one or more first training signals for afirst destination station and one or more second training signals for asecond destination station by applying a mapping matrix P to a trainingsignal generation sequence; mapping the first training signals and thesecond training signals to a plurality of antennas according to anantenna mapping matrix; and performing Inverse Fast Fourier Transform(IFFT) on each of the first training signals and the second trainingsignals mapped to the plurality of antennas and sending the trainingsignals through the plurality of antennas.

The mapping matrix P may be determined by Equation below.

$P = \begin{bmatrix}P_{4 \times 4} & P_{4 \times 4} \\P_{4 \times 4} & {- P_{4 \times 4}}\end{bmatrix}$

where P_(4×4) is a 4×4 orthogonal matrix.

The P_(4×4) may be equal to Equation below.

$P_{4 \times 4} = \begin{bmatrix}1 & {- 1} & 1 & 1 \\1 & 1 & {- 1} & 1 \\1 & 1 & 1 & {- 1} \\{- 1} & 1 & 1 & 1\end{bmatrix}$

The first training signals may be used for the first destination stationto demodulate data of the first destination station, transmitted afterthe first training signals are transmitted, or to estimate a channelbetween the first destination station and a transmission stationtransmitting the first training signals. The second training signals maybe used for the second destination station to demodulate data of thesecond destination station, transmitted after the second trainingsignals are transmitted, or to estimate a channel between the seconddestination station and the transmission station.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methodof transmitting a training signal in a WLAN system, including generatinga plurality of training signals by applying a mapping matrix P_(k) to atraining signal generation sequence and transmitting the plurality oftraining signals to one or more destination stations.

The mapping matrix P_(k) may be determined by Equation below.

$P_{k} = \begin{bmatrix}P_{k - 1} & P_{k - 1} \\P_{k - 1} & {- P_{k - 1}}\end{bmatrix}$

wherein k is a natural number, and P₀ is a 4×4 orthogonal matrix.

The 4×4 orthogonal matrix P₀ may be equal to Equation below.

$P_{0} = \begin{bmatrix}1 & {- 1} & 1 & 1 \\1 & 1 & {- 1} & 1 \\1 & 1 & 1 & {- 1} \\{- 1} & 1 & 1 & 1\end{bmatrix}$

The number of training signals may be equal to or larger than the numberof spatial streams used to transmit data when the data is transmitted tothe one or more destination stations after the training signals aretransmitted.

The training signal may be used for the destination station todemodulate data transmitted after the training signal is transmitted orto estimate a channel between the destination station and a transmissionstation transmitting the training signal.

Transmitting the plurality of training signals to the one or moredestination stations may include mapping the plurality of trainingsignals to a plurality of antennas according to an antenna mappingmatrix and performing IFFT on each of the plurality of training signalsmapped to the plurality of antennas and sending the training signalsthrough the plurality of antennas.

The training signal generation sequence may be a predetermined value andselected according to a bandwidth of a channel used.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided amethod of transmitting a training signal in a WLAN system, includinggenerating a first training signal for a first destination station byapplying a first mapping matrix to a training signal generationsequence; generating a second training signal for a second destinationstation by applying a second mapping matrix to the training signalgeneration sequence; and sending the first training signal and thesecond training signal to a plurality of destination stations,comprising the first destination station and the second destinationstation, by using Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO)technology.

In further yet another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a radio apparatus, including a training signal transmissionunit transmitting a training signal and a training signal generationunit generating the training signal. The training signal generation unitgenerates one or more first training signals for a first destinationstation and one or more second training signals for a second destinationstation by applying a mapping matrix P to a training signal generationsequence. transmitting the first training signals and the secondtraining signals to the first destination station and the seconddestination station is configured to map the first training signals andthe second training signals to a plurality of antennas based on anantenna mapping matrix and to perform IFFT on each of the first trainingsignals and the second training signals mapped to the plurality ofantennas and transmit the first training signals and the second trainingsignals through the plurality of antennas.

The mapping matrix P may be determined by Equation below.

$P = \begin{bmatrix}P_{4 \times 4} & P_{4 \times 4} \\P_{4 \times 4} & {- P_{4 \times 4}}\end{bmatrix}$

wherein P_(4×4) is a 4×4 orthogonal matrix.

The P_(4×4) may be equal to Equation below.

$P_{4 \times 4} = \begin{bmatrix}1 & {- 1} & 1 & 1 \\1 & 1 & {- 1} & 1 \\1 & 1 & 1 & {- 1} \\{- 1} & 1 & 1 & 1\end{bmatrix}$

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a WLAN system to which anembodiment of the present invention can be applied;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an HT-mixed mode PLCP format of an HTsystem;

FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of a process of generating an LTF;

FIG. 4 shows an example of an HT-LTF mapping matrix PHTLTF according tothe number of spatial streams;

FIG. 5 shows an example of a PLCP frame format which may be used in aVHT system supporting MU-MIMO transmission using 8 or more spatialstreams;

FIG. 6 shows a method of generating VHT-LTFs according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a method of generating VHT-LTFs according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a method of generating VHT-LTFs according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows an 8×8 VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix and a method ofusing the same according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows an 8×8 VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix and a method ofusing the same according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows an 8×8 VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix and a method ofusing the same according to yet another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a radio apparatus in which embodiments ofthe present invention are implemented.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments of the present invention are described in detail belowwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a WLAN system to which anembodiment of the present invention can be applied.

Referring to FIG. 1, the WLAN system includes one or more Basic ServiceSets (hereinafter referred to as a ‘BSS’). The BSS is a set of stations(hereinafter referred to as a ‘STA’) which can communicate with eachother through successful synchronization. The BSS is not a conceptindicating a specific area. Furthermore, as in a WLAN system to which anembodiment of the present invention can be applied, a BSS supportingultra-high data processing of 1 GHz or higher at the MAC Service AccessPoint (SAP) is referred to as a VHT BSS.

The VHT BSS can be classified into an infrastructure BSS and anIndependent BSS (hereinafter referred to as an ‘IBSS’). Aninfrastructure BSS is shown in FIG. 1. The infrastructure BSS BSS1 andBSS2 includes one or more Non-AP STAs STA 1, STA 3, and STA 4, AccessPoints AP 1 (STA 2) and AP 2 (STA 5) providing distribution service, anda Distribution System (hereinafter referred to as a ‘DS’)interconnecting the plurality of APs AP 1 and AP 2. In theinfrastructure BSS, an AP STA manages the Non-AP STAs of the BSS.

On the other hand, the IBSS (i.e., the independent BSS) is a BSSoperating in the ad-hoc mode. The IBSS does not include a centralizedmanagement entity, performing a management function at the center,because it does not include an AP VHT STA. That is, in the IBSS, Non-APSTAs are managed in a distributed manner. Furthermore, in the IBSS, allSTAs can be composed of mobile STAs, and they form a self-containednetwork because access to a DS is not permitted.

An STA is certain function media, including a Medium Access Control(MAC) layer and a physical layer interface for a radio medium inaccordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, and it broadly includes bothan AP and a Non-AP STA. Furthermore, an STA, supporting MU-MIMOtransmission to be described later and ultra-high data processing of 1GHz or higher, is referred to as a VHT STA. In a VHT WLAN system towhich the embodiment of the present invention can be applied, all STAsincluded in the BSS may be VHT STAs or may be VHT STAs and non-VHT STAs(e.g., STAs supporting the IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n standards) which coexist.

An STA for wireless communication includes a processor and a transceiverand further includes a user interface, display means, etc. The processoris a function unit configured to generate a frame which will betransmitted over a wireless network or to process a frame received overthe wireless network. The processor performs various functions forcontrolling the STA. Furthermore, the transceiver is functionallyconnected to the processor and configured to transmit and receive aframe over the wireless network for the STA.

Portable terminal used by users, from among STAs, correspond to Non-APSTAs (e.g., STA1, STA3, and STA4). An STA may be simply referred as aNon-AP STA. The Non-AP STA may also be referred to as anotherterminology, such as a terminal, a Wireless Transmit/Receive Unit(WTRU), a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Station (MS), a mobile terminal,or a mobile subscriber unit. Furthermore, a Non-AP STA, supportingultra-high data processing on the basis of MU-MIMO technology to bedescribed later, is referred to as a Non-AP VHT STA or simply a VHT STA.

Furthermore, the APs AP1 and AP2 are function entities providing accessto the DS via a radio medium for STAs (i.e., association STAs)associated therewith. In an infrastructure BSS including an AP,communication between Non-AP STAs is performed via the AP in principle.In case where a direct link is set up, communication can be directlyperformed between Non-AP STAs. The AP may also be referred to as aconcentrated controller, a Base Station (BS), a node-B, a BaseTransceiver System (BTS), or a site controller. Furthermore, an AP,supporting ultra-high data processing on the basis of MU-MIMO technologyto be described later, is referred to as a VHT AP.

A plurality of infrastructure BSSs can be interconnected through a DS(Distribution System). The plurality of BSSs interconnected through theDS is called an Extended Service Set (ESS). STAs included in the ESS cancommunicate with each other. Non-AP STAs can continue to communicatewith each other within the same ESS and move from one BSS to anotherBSS.

A DS is a mechanism for enabling one AP to communicate with the otherAP. According to the mechanism, an AP may send a frame to STAs which aremanaged by the AP and connected to a BSS, transfer a frame to any oneSTA in case where the STA has moved to another BSS, or transfer a frameover an external network, such as a wired network. The DS needs not tobe necessarily a network, and it may have any type as long as it canprovide predetermined distribution service regulated in the IEEE 802.11standard. For example, the DS may be a wireless network, such as a meshnetwork, or a physical structure for interconnecting APs.

In a VHT WLAN system, several STAs use the MU-MIMO technology in orderto efficiently use a radio channel at the same time. In other words,several STAs are permitted to send and receive data to and from an AP atthe same time. An AP may send spatially multiplexed radio frames toseveral STAs at the same time. To this end, the AP may measure a channelcondition, perform beamforming, and send and receive data using aplurality of spatial stream.

Hereinafter, to spatially multiplex data and send the spatiallymultiplexed data to a plurality of STAs is referred to as MU-MIMOtransmission or SDMA transmission. In MU-MIMO transmission, at least onespatial stream is assigned to each STA which is a transmission target,and data can be sent to the STA using the assigned spatial stream.

Hereinafter, an STA supporting the IEEE 802.11 a/b/g standards isreferred to as a legacy STA and an STA supporting the IEEE 802.11nstandard is referred to as an HT STA, in order to distinguish a VHT STAfrom the legacy STA and the HT STA. Likewise, a WLAN system supportingthe IEEE 802.11 a/b/g standard is referred to as a legacy system and aWLAN system supporting the IEEE 802.11n standard is referred to as an HTsystem, in order to distinguish a VHT system from the legacy system andthe HT system. The functions of fields, assigned the same name in a PLCPframe format described herein, are the same in the entire range of thisspecification, unless otherwise described.

A PLCP frame is generated in the PLCP sublayer of an STA and transmittedto a destination STA via a PMD sublayer by using multiple antennas.Hereinafter, a PLCP frame format and a method of sending fieldsconstituting the PLCP frame format are only illustrative, and thesequence in which the fields are transmitted is not limited to thatshown in the drawings. In the following description, the sequence inwhich the fields are transmitted may be changed, unless the sequence isspecially described otherwise, and some of the fields may be omitted oradditional fields may be added.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an HT-mixed mode PLCP format of an HTsystem.

For detailed information about the HT-mixed mode PLCP format of an HTsystem, reference may be made to Paragraph 20.3 of IEEE 802.11n/D11.0“Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer(PHY) specifications; Amendment 5: Enhancements for Higher Throughput”disclosed on June, 2009.

A PLCP frame is used to send a PLCP Protocol Data Unit (PPDU). TheHT-mixed mode PLCP format of FIG. 2 is a PLCP format for guaranteeingthe coexistence of an HT STA and a legacy STA in the HT system. To thisend, the HT-mixed mode PLCP format includes a series of fields (e.g.,L-STF, L-LTF, and L-SIG) for a legacy STA (so that the legacy STA canalso recognize the fields).

Elements included in the HT-mixed mode PLCP frame are listed in Table 1below.

TABLE 1 Element Description L-STF (Non-HT Short Used for frame timingacquisition and Training Field) Automatic Gain Control (AGC) convergenceL-LTF (Non-HT Long Used for channel estimation Training Field) L-SIGIncluding information for demodulating (Non-HT SIGNAL Field) anddecoding data for L-STA HT-SIG Including information that an HT-STA (HTSIGNAL field) demodulates and decodes data HT-STF Used for frame timingacquisition and (HT Short Training Field) AGC convergence HT-GF-STF(HT-Green Used for frame timing acquisition and Field Short TrainingField) AGC convergence (only an HT STA can read HT-GF-STF) HT-LTF1(First HT Long Used for channel estimation Training Field) HT-LTFIncluding data HT-LTF, used for channel (HT Long Training Field)estimation for data demodulation for HT-STA, and extension HT-LTF usedfor channel sounding Data Field Including PHY Service Data Unit (PSDU)

STFs (Short Training Fields), such as L-STF, HT-STF, and HT-GF-STF, areused for frame timing acquisition, Automatic Gain Control (AGC), and soon and thus also referred to as a sync signal or a sync channel. Thatis, the STF is used for synchronization between STAs or between an STAand an AP.

Long Training Fields (LTFs), such as L-LTF and HT-LTF, are used forchannel estimation for the demodulation of data or control informationor both and thus also referred to as a reference signal, a trainingsignal, or a pilot.

Fields, such as L-SIG and HT-SIG, are used to provide pieces ofinformation necessary to decode data and thus also referred to ascontrol information.

In the HT-mixed mode PLCP format of an HT system, a Legacy ShortTraining Field (L-STF), a Legacy Long Training Field (L-LTF), and aLegacy Signal (L-SIG) are first transmitted. Accordingly, a legacy STAcan read the PLCP format. An HT STA can know that a corresponding PLCPformat is for an HT STA by acquiring control information from an HT-SIGfield received after an L-SIG field.

In the HT system, Single-User MIMO (SU-MIMO) transmission is possible.An L-STF, an L-LTF, an L-SIG, and an HT-SIG are transmittedomni-directionally according to a non-MIMO transmission scheme, and anHT-STF and data are transmitted according to a SU-MIMO transmissionscheme.

An HT-SIG includes information for interpreting an HT packet formatfollowing the HT-SIG. The HT-SIG consists of a total of 24 bits andincludes the following information.

-   -   Modulation and Coding Scheme: 7 bits    -   Channel bandwidth 20/40 MHz: 1 bit    -   HT length: 16 bits    -   Smoothing: 1 bit    -   Not sounding: 1 bit    -   Reserved: 1 bit    -   Aggregation: 1 bit    -   STBC: 2 bits    -   FEC coding: 1 bit    -   Short GI: 1 bit    -   Number of Extension Spatial Streams: 2 bits    -   CRC: 8 bits    -   Tail bits: 6 bits

As can be seen from Number of Extension Spatial Streams which is one ofthe fields constituting the HT-SIG, an HT STA supports SU-MIMO using amaximum of four spatial streams. Accordingly, there is a need for a newLTF for the channel estimation of multi spatial streams because channelestimation for each stream cannot be performed using a legacy LTF.

An HT system defines an HT-LTF for MIMO channel estimation. An HT-LTF isused for channel estimation like an LTF described above, but differsfrom an L-LTF in that the HT-LTF is designed to estimate an MIMOchannel.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a process ofgenerating an LTF. In FIG. 3, the process of generating an HT-LTF isdescribed as an example. However, the above process may be applied tothe generation of a VHT-LTF of the present invention.

An HTLTF sequence (HTLTFk) is multiplied by an HT-LTF mapping matrixPHTLTF. The HT-LTF mapping matrix PHTLTF is an orthogonal mapping matrixmultiplied to the HTLTF sequence such that an HT-LTF can use it toestimate a channel for an MIMO channel. The HT-LTF mapping matrix PHTLTFmay be defined by Equation 1 below.

$\begin{matrix}{P_{HTLTF} = \begin{bmatrix}1 & {- 1} & 1 & 1 \\1 & 1 & {- 1} & 1 \\1 & 1 & 1 & {- 1} \\{- 1} & 1 & 1 & 1\end{bmatrix}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

Next, a Cyclic Shift Delay (CSD) process for preventing unwantedbeamforming is performed, and the HTLTF sequence is mapped to a Transmit(Tx) antenna by means of an antenna map matrix Qk for a k subcarrier.The antenna map matrix Qk functions to map a space time stream and atransmit chain. The HTLTF sequence mapped to the transmit chain issubjected to Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) and then transmittedthrough the Tx antenna.

The HTLTF sequence may be an example of a training signal generationsequence according to the present invention. The training signalgeneration sequence according to the present invention may be referredto as a VHTLTF sequence, but an arbitrary name. A different trainingsignal generation sequence may be used according to a channel bandwidthused by a VHT WLAN system. In other words, a different training signalgeneration sequence may be used according to a channel bandwidth of 20MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz. The training signal generation sequenceis already known to an STA, transmitting a training signal, and an STAreceiving the training signal. The receiving STA can estimate a channeland demodulate data using a training signal with reference to a trainingsignal generation sequence which is used according to a bandwidth of thechannel.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an HT-LTF mapping matrix PHTLTF according tothe number of spatial streams.

As can be seen from the example of FIG. 4, a training symbol is definedper spatial stream and transmitted in order to estimate the channel ofeach spatial stream. When the number of spatial streams is 1, 2, or 4,1, 2, or 4HT-LTFs are transmitted. However, when the number of spatialstreams is 3, one extra long training symbol is added, and four HT-LTFsare used.

In order to describe a method of estimating the channel of an HT-STA byusing an orthogonal mapping matrix, it is assumed that in an HT system,a transmitting STA sends a training symbol to a receiving STA through 2layers. Here, the training symbol received by the receiving STA may berepresented by Equation 2 below.

$\begin{matrix}{\begin{bmatrix}{r_{1}(t)} \\{r_{2}(t)}\end{bmatrix} = {{\begin{bmatrix}h_{11} & h_{12} \\h_{21} & h_{22}\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}{P_{1}(t)} \\{P_{2}(t)}\end{bmatrix}} + {\begin{bmatrix}{n_{1}(t)} \\{n_{2}(t)}\end{bmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}{{P_{1}\left( t_{1} \right)} = {HTLTF}} \\{{P_{1}\left( t_{2} \right)} = {- {HTLTF}}} \\{{P_{2}\left( t_{1} \right)} = {HTLTF}} \\{{P_{2}\left( t_{2} \right)} = {HTLTF}}\end{pmatrix}}}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 2} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

where hnm indicates a channel between the nth antenna of a sender andthe mth antenna of a receiver, Pn(t) indicates a training symboltransmitted through the nth antenna of the sender, and nm(t) indicatesAdditive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) experienced by the mth antenna ofthe receiver. Equation 2 may be represented into Equation 3 below bysubstituting a training symbol into Equation 2.

$\begin{matrix}{\begin{bmatrix}{r_{1}\left( t_{1} \right)} \\{r_{2}\left( t_{1} \right)} \\{r_{1}\left( t_{2} \right)} \\{r_{2}\left( t_{2} \right)}\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}{{h_{11} \times {HTLTF}} + {h_{12} \times {HTLTF}} + {n_{1}\left( t_{1} \right)}} \\{{h_{21} \times {HTLTF}} + {h_{22} \times {HTLTF}} + {n_{2}\left( t_{2} \right)}} \\{{{- h_{11}} \times {HTLTF}} + {h_{12} \times {HTLTF}} + {n_{1}\left( t_{2} \right)}} \\{{{- h_{21}} \times {HTLTF}} + {h_{22} \times {HTLTF}} + {n_{2}\left( t_{2} \right)}}\end{bmatrix}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 3} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

If the channel hnm is found for all n and m in Equation 3, it results inEquation 4 below.

$\begin{matrix}{{h_{11} = \frac{{r_{1}\left( t_{1} \right)} - {r_{1}\left( t_{2} \right)}}{2 \times {HTLTF}}}{h_{12} = \frac{{r_{1}\left( t_{1} \right)} + {r_{1}\left( t_{2} \right)}}{2 \times {HTLTF}}}{h_{21} = \frac{{r_{2}\left( t_{1} \right)} - {r_{2}\left( t_{2} \right)}}{2 \times {HTLTF}}}{h_{22} = \frac{{r_{2}\left( t_{1} \right)} + {r_{2}\left( t_{2} \right)}}{2 \times {HTLTF}}}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 4} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

When the number of layers is 3 or 4, the channel hnm can be foundthrough the process of Equation 2 to Equation 4.

Hereinafter, assuming that four Tx antennas and one Rx antenna exist, achannel information Signal power-to-Noise power Ratio (SNR) when achannel is estimated is found.

Here, a signal received by the Rx antenna may be represented by Equation5.r(t ₀)=+h ₀ P+h ₁ P+h ₂ P−h ₃ P+n(t ₀)r(t ₁)=−h ₀ P+h ₁ P+h ₂ P+h ₃ P+n(t ₁)r(t ₂)=+h ₀ P−h ₁ P+h ₂ P+h ₃ P+n(t ₂)r(t ₃)=+h ₀ P+h ₁ P−h ₂ P+h ₃ P+n(t ₃)  [Equation 5]

A result of the channel estimation obtained by Equation 5 may berepresented by Equation 6 below.

$\begin{matrix}\begin{matrix}{h_{0}^{\prime} = \frac{{r\left( t_{0} \right)} - {r\left( t_{1} \right)} + {r\left( t_{2} \right)} + {r\left( t_{3} \right)}}{4 \times P}} \\{= {h_{0} + \frac{{n\left( t_{0} \right)} - {n\left( t_{1} \right)} + {n\left( t_{2} \right)} + {n\left( t_{3} \right)}}{4 \times P}}}\end{matrix} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 6} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

In Equation 6, the second term on the right side indicates noiseincluded in the received signal. From Equation 6, the SNR of a signalreceived by a receiving terminal can be found as in Equation 7 below.

$\begin{matrix}\begin{matrix}{\frac{S}{N} = \frac{E\left\lbrack {h_{0}}^{2} \right\rbrack}{E\left\lbrack {\frac{{n\left( t_{0} \right)} - {n\left( t_{1} \right)} + {n\left( t_{2} \right)} + {n\left( t_{3} \right)}}{4 \times P}}^{2} \right\rbrack}} \\{= \frac{{h_{0}}^{2}}{\frac{1}{16} \times \frac{E\left\lbrack {{{n\left( t_{0} \right)} - {n\left( t_{1} \right)} + {n\left( t_{2} \right)} + {n\left( t_{3} \right)}}}^{2} \right\rbrack}{E\left\lbrack {P}^{2} \right\rbrack}}} \\{= \frac{16 \times {E\left\lbrack {P}^{2} \right\rbrack} \times {h_{0}}^{2}}{E\left\lbrack {{{n\left( t_{0} \right)} - {n\left( t_{1} \right)} + {n\left( t_{2} \right)} + {n\left( t_{3} \right)}}}^{2} \right\rbrack}} \\{= \frac{16 \times {E\left\lbrack {P}^{2} \right\rbrack} \times {h_{0}}^{2}}{4 \times \sigma^{2}}} \\{= {4 \times \frac{{h_{0}}^{2}}{\sigma^{2}}}}\end{matrix} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 7} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

In Equation 7, σ2 is a noise power spectrum density. As can be seen fromthe expansion of the equation, a channel estimation gain of about 6 dBcan be obtained from four times of LTF transmission.

A VHT WLAN system supports MU-MIMO in addition to SU-MIMO. It isexpected that a VHT system will support MIMO transmission of a minimumof 8 spatial streams. An example of a PLCP frame format which may beused in a VHT system supporting MU-MIMO transmission using 8 or morespatial streams is shown in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 5, a VHT-Green Field Format is an example of a PLCP frame formatwhich may be used in a system consisting of only VHT STAs. A VHT-MixedFormat is an example of a PLCP frame format which may be used in asystem in which a legacy STA, an HT STA, and a VHT STA coexist. AVHT-Mixed Green Field Format is an example of a PLCP frame format whichmay be used in a system consisting of only an HT STA and a VHT STA. Thenames of fields constituting the PLCP frame format and the PLCP frameformat shown in FIG. 5, the sequence in which the fields aretransmitted, and a method of sending the fields are arbitrary.Hereinafter, the sequence and the method, unless specially describedotherwise, are not limited to that shown in FIG. 5.

The VHT-Mixed Format is different from the VHT-Green Field Format inthat it further includes fields (e.g., an L-STF, an L-LTF, an L-SIGfield, and an HT-SIG field) for a legacy STA and an HT STA existing in asystem. Here, the fields (e.g., an L-STF, an L-LTF, an L-SIG field, andan HT-SIG field) for a legacy STA and an HT STA are transmitted withoutbeamforming. Fields from a VHT-STF may be precoded, subjected tobeamforming, and then transmitted.

The VHT-Mixed Green Field Format may include an HT-GF-STF, an HT-LTF1,and an HT-SIG field for an HT STA.

In the PLCP frame format of FIG. 5, the VHT-STF and the VHT-LTF for aVHT STA may be precoded, subjected to beamforming, and then transmitted.A PLCP frame format which is used in a VHT system supporting MU-MIMOusing 8 or more spatial streams requires more transmission of a VHT-LTFand an extension VHT-LTF, as compared with an HT system. The VHT-LTF isused to estimate a channel and demodulate data. The extension VHT-LTF isused to sound the extra spatial dimensions of an MIMO channel.

The present invention proposes a method of generating VHT-LTFs fortransmitting 5 or more layers which may be used in a VHT system, anorthogonal mapping matrix used to generate the VHT-LTF, and a method ofusing the orthogonal mapping matrix.

FIG. 6 shows the method of generating VHT-LTFs according to anembodiment of the present invention.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the orthogonalmapping matrix applied to the VHT-LTF may be used on an STA basis. InFIG. 6, it is assumed that in a VHT system, a VHT-STA0 is sought toperform MU-MIMO transmission to a VHT-STA1 and a VHT-STA2. It is alsoassumed that the VHT-STA1 and the VHT-STA2 (i.e., destination STAs forMU-MIMO transmission) can perform reception through 4 layers and 2layers, respectively.

The number of LTFs that should be received by the VHT-STA1 and theVHT-STA2 may be signaled to the VHT-STA1 and the VHT-STA2 through aVHT-SIG field transmitted prior to sending VHT-LTFs. When thetransmitting STA VHT-STA0 sends a PLCP frame, the transmitting STAVHT-STA0 sends a total of 6 VHT-LTFs. The first 4 VHT-LTFs of the 6VHT-LTFs may be received by the VHT-STA1 in order to estimate a channel.The remaining 2 VHT-LTFs of the 6 VHT-LTFs may be received by theVHT-STA2 in order to estimate a channel. An orthogonal mapping matrix610 used to generate the VHT-LTFs for the VHT-STA1 and an orthogonalmapping matrix 620 used to generate the VHT-LTFs for the VHT-STA2 may beindividually used.

For example, the HTLTF mapping matrix of an HT system in Equation 1 maybe used as the orthogonal mapping matrix.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which a 4×4 HT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrixis used for the VHT-LTFs for the VHT-STA1 and a 2×2 HT-LTF orthogonalmapping matrix is used for the VHT-LTFs for the VHT-STA2.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a method of generating VHT-LTFs according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

In accordance with the method of generating VHT-LTFs according to theembodiment of the present invention, VHT-LTFs may be generated andtransmitted using one VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix irrespective ofthe number of destination STAs. In other words, the VHT-LTF orthogonalmapping matrix may be configured and used according to the number of atotal of layers (i.e., a required number of VHT-LTFs).

In FIG. 7, it is assumed that a source STA VHT-STA0 sends data to eachof a destination STA VHT-STA1 and a destination VHT-STA2 through 3layers. Here, the number of VHT-LTFs that should be sent to each of theVHT-STA1 and the VHT-STA2 is 4, and a total of eight times of VHT-LTFtransmission is required. The method of FIG. 6 in which the VHT-LTForthogonal mapping matrix is applied to each of destination STAs alsorequires eight times of VHT-LTF transmission.

The VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix used to generate the eightVHT-LTFs may be configured as in the matrix 710 of FIG. 7.

A 3×4 matrix 710-1 used to generate four VHT-LTFs sent to the VHT-STA1and a 3×4 matrix 710-2 used to generate four VHT-LTFs sent to theVHT-STA2 can be obtained by using a 3×4 HT-LTF orthogonal mappingmatrix. The remaining elements of the matrix 710 other than the 3×4matrix 710-1 and the 3×4 matrix 710-2 consist of 0.

The above method of sending the eight VHT-LTFs in a condition that theeight VHT-LTFs are sent to the destination STAs through a total of 6layers may cause throughput loss.

In order to solve the above problem, according to another embodiment ofthe present invention, the VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix may be usedaccording to the number of a total of layers. That is, the VHT-LTForthogonal mapping matrix may be used for one layer, two layers, or fourlayers.

This method can be used to prevent a reduction of transmissionefficiency by reducing an unnecessary number of VHT-LTF transmissions.

FIG. 8 shows a method of generating and sending VHT-LTFs according toyet another embodiment of the present invention.

In case where data is sought to be sent to each of a VHT-STA1 and aVHT-STA2 through 3 layers, a total of 6 VHT-LTFs have to be generated.Here, a VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix may be configured according toone layer, two layers, or 4 layers without distinguishing destinationSTAs to which data will be sent through the total of 6 layers.

A VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix 810 of FIG. 8 may have a 6×6 squarematrix, including a 4×4 partial matrix 810-1 and a 2×2 partial matrix810-2. The remaining elements of the VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix810 other than the 4×4 partial matrix 810-1 and the 2×2 partial matrix810-2 consist of 0. Here, an HTLTF mapping matrix may be used as the 4×4partial matrix 810-1, and a 2×2 HTLTF mapping matrix may be used as the2×2 partial matrix 810-2.

The 8 VHT-LTFs are used to send data through the total of 6 layers inthe method of FIG. 7. However, if the VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrixof FIG. 8 is used, 6 VHT-LTFs can be used to send data through the totalof 6 layers. Accordingly, a reduction of system efficiency can beprevented because two VHT-LTFs for data transmission can be reduced.

Meanwhile, a conventional HT system is problematic in that it cannot beapplied to a VHT system for supporting data transmission through atleast 8 layers because it supports data transmission through a maximumof 4 layers. In other words, an 8×8 orthogonal mapping matrix that canbe used in a VHT system for supporting data transmission through 5 ormore layers must be taken into consideration.

The present invention proposes an 8×8 orthogonal mapping matrixPVHT-LTF(8Tx) for a VHT system.

An example of the 8×8 orthogonal mapping matrix PVHT-LTF(8Tx) for a VHTsystem, proposed by the present invention, can be obtained by usingEquation 8 below.

$\begin{matrix}{H_{2^{k}} = {\begin{bmatrix}H_{2^{k - 1}} & H_{2^{k - 1}} \\H_{2^{k - 1}} & {- H_{2^{k - 1}}}\end{bmatrix}\mspace{14mu}\left( {{{where}\mspace{14mu} H_{2^{0}}} = \lbrack 1\rbrack} \right)}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 8} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

The 8×8 VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix obtained according to Equation8 and a method of using the same are shown in FIG. 9.

The 8×8 VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix according to an embodiment ofthe present invention may be obtained and applied to transmissionthrough 5, 6, 7, or 8 layers, as shown in FIG. 9. In the VHT-LTForthogonal mapping matrix of FIG. 9, codes between the layers alwaysmaintain orthogonality. Accordingly, an STA receiving VHT-LTFs caneasily obtain information about a channel to be estimated throughcalculation using + and − in the same manner as Equation 4. In theVHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix of FIG. 9, the sequence of columnvectors may be randomly changed.

Another example of the 8×8 orthogonal mapping matrix PVHT-LTF(8Tx) for aVHT system, proposed by the present invention, can be obtained by usingEquation 9 below.

$\begin{matrix}{H_{2^{k}} = \begin{bmatrix}H_{2^{k - 1}} & H_{2^{k - 1}} \\H_{2^{k - 1}} & {- H_{2^{k - 1}}}\end{bmatrix}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 9} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

The matrix generation method according to Equation 9 is basically thesame as that of Equation 8. Here, H₂ _(k−1) of Equation 9 may become theLTF mapping matrix of an HT system. In other words, an 8×8 matrix,obtained by extending the HT LTF mapping matrix of Equation 1 accordingto Equation 9, can be used as the VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix ofthe method of generating and sending VHT-LTFs, proposed by the presentinvention.

As described above, the 8×8 or 16×16 VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrixis obtained by using an HT system. The conventional transmission limitusing a maximum of 4 layers can be overcome, and the VHT-LTF orthogonalmapping matrix that can be applied to a VHT system supporting 8 layersor more can be obtained. Furthermore, there is an advantage in terms ofbackward compatibility.

FIG. 10 shows the 8×8 VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix described inconnection with Equation 9 and a method of using the 8×8 VHT-LTForthogonal mapping matrix for transmission through 5 to 8 layersaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

For example, in case where transmission is performed through 5 layers, apartial matrix obtained by first to fifth row vectors may be used. Incase where transmission is performed through 7 layers, a partial matrixobtained by first to seventh row vectors may be used. Here, the sequenceof column vectors may be randomly changed.

FIG. 11 shows the 8×8 VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix described inconnection with Equation 9 and a method of using the 8×8 VHT-LTForthogonal mapping matrix for transmission through 5 to 8 layersaccording to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

If the method of generating and sending a training signal using thematrix of FIG. 11 is used, 1 to 4 layers may be used according to theexisting HT system method, a 5×6 or 6×6 matrix set may be used in 5 or 6layers, and a 7×8 or 8×8 matrix set may be used in 7 or 8 layers.

In the above method of generating and sending VHT-LTFs, in case whereVHT-LTFs are sought to be transmitted through 5 or 6 layers, only 6VHT-LTFs can be transmitted. Accordingly, there is an advantage in termsof transmission efficiency.

In the partial matrices used according to the number of layers in FIG.11, the sequence of column vectors may be randomly changed.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a radio apparatus in which theembodiments of the present invention are implemented. The radioapparatus 1200 may be part of the non-AP STA or the AP of a WLAN system.

The radio apparatus 1200 includes an LTF generation unit 1210 and an LTFtransmission unit 1220. The LTF generation unit 1210 generates atraining signal by using the VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix accordingto the above-described embodiments. The LTF transmission unit 1220 sendsthe generated training signal to one or more radio apparatuses. Thegeneration and transmission of the training signal may be performedthrough multiple antennas by multiplying the training signal sequenceVHTLTFk by the VHT-LTF orthogonal mapping matrix and then performingprocesses, such as Cyclic Shift Delay (CSD) for preventing unwantedbeamforming, mapping between a space time stream and a transmit chain,and Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT). To this end, the LTFtransmission unit 1220 may include multiple antennas. The LTFtransmission unit 1220 may send part of or the entire training signal,generated by the LTF generation unit 1210, through a beamforming processthrough precoding and beamforming. Here, the beamforming process throughprecoding may be performed by the LTF generation unit 1210.

The LTF generation unit 1210 and the LTF transmission, unit 1220 may beimplemented in a single chip in the form of a processor. The aboveembodiments in which the training signal is generated and sent may beconfigured as a software module, stored in memory, and executed by aprocessor.

There is provided a mapping matrix which can be used in a method ofgenerating and sending a training signal in a WLAN system. Accordingly,multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) using a plurality ofspatial streams can be supported.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of transmitting a training signal in aWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system, the method comprising:generating, by a transmitting station, Very High Throughput-LongTraining Field (VHT-LTF) symbols used for at least one receivingstation, the VHT-LTF symbols generated by applying a mapping matrix P toa VHT-LTF sequence, wherein the mapping matrix P is set to a firstmapping matrix P when a total number of spatial streams for the at leastone receiving station is set to seven (7), wherein the mapping matrix Pis set to the first mapping matrix P when the total number of spatialstreams for the at least one receiving station is set to eight (8),wherein the mapping matrix P is set to a second mapping matrix P whenthe total number of spatial streams for the at least one receivingstation is set to five (5), wherein the mapping matrix P is set to thesecond mapping matrix P when the total number of spatial streams for theat least one receiving station is set to six (6), wherein the mappingmatrix P is set to a third mapping matrix P when the total number ofspatial streams for the at least one receiving station is set to three(3), wherein the mapping matrix P is set to the third mapping matrix Pwhen the total number of spatial streams for the at least one receivingstation is set to four (4), and wherein a number of the VHT-LTF symbolsis set to eight (8) when the total number of spatial streams for the atleast one receiving station is set to seven (7); and transmitting, bythe transmitting station, the VHT-LTF symbols to the at least onereceiving station, wherein the third mapping matrix P is a 4-by-4submatrix, which is denoted by P₁, wherein the first mapping matrix P isan 8-by-8 matrix configured in a form of $\left\lbrack \begin{matrix}P_{1} & P_{1} \\P_{1} & {- P_{1}}\end{matrix} \right\rbrack$ wherein the second mapping matrix P is a6-by-6 matrix configured in a form of $\begin{bmatrix}P_{2} & P_{3} \\P_{4} & P_{5}\end{bmatrix},$ wherein a first seven rows of the first mapping matrix Pare applied when the total number of spatial streams for the at leastone receiving station is set to seven (7), wherein a first five rows ofthe second mapping matrix P are applied when the total number of spatialstreams for the at least one receiving station is set to five (5), andwherein the second mapping matrix P is configured in the form of$\begin{bmatrix}P_{2} & P_{3} \\P_{4} & P_{5}\end{bmatrix},$ and P₂ to P₅ are four different 3-by-3 submatrices. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein a number of the VHT-LTF symbols is set tosix (6) when the total number of spatial streams for the at least onereceiving station is set to five (5).
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of VHT-LTF symbols are used to estimate a multiple inputmultiple output (MIMO) channel of a wireless channel of the at least onereceiving station.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein P₁ is determined by$\begin{bmatrix}1 & {- 1} & 1 & 1 \\1 & 1 & {- 1} & 1 \\1 & 1 & 1 & {- 1} \\{- 1} & 1 & 1 & 1\end{bmatrix}.$
 5. A transmitting station, comprising: a processorconfigured to generate Very High Throughput-Long Training Field(VHT-LTF) symbols used for at least one receiving station, the VHT-LTFsymbols generated by applying a mapping matrix P to a VHT-LTF sequence,wherein the mapping matrix P is set to a first mapping matrix P when atotal number of spatial streams for the at least one receiving stationis set to seven (7), wherein the mapping matrix P is set to the firstmapping matrix P when the total number of spatial streams for the atleast one receiving station is set to eight (8), wherein the mappingmatrix P is set to a second mapping matrix P when the total number ofspatial streams for the at least one receiving station is set to five(5), wherein the mapping matrix P is set to the second mapping matrix Pwhen the total number of spatial streams for the at least one receivingstation is set to six (6), wherein the mapping matrix P is set to athird mapping matrix P when the total number of spatial streams for theat least one receiving station is set to three (3), wherein the mappingmatrix P is set to the third mapping matrix P when the total number ofspatial streams for the at least one receiving station is set to four(4), and wherein a number of the VHT-LTF symbols is set to eight (8)when the total number of spatial streams for the at least one receivingstation is set to seven (7); and a transmitter configured to transmitthe VHT-LTF symbols to the at least one receiving station, wherein thethird mapping matrix P is a 4-by-4 submatrix, which is denoted by P₁,wherein the first mapping matrix P is an 8-by-8 matrix configured in aform of $\begin{bmatrix}P_{1} & P_{1} \\P_{1} & {- P_{1}}\end{bmatrix}$ wherein the second mapping matrix P is a 6-by-6 matrixconfigured in a form of $\begin{bmatrix}P_{2} & P_{3} \\P_{4} & P_{5}\end{bmatrix},$ wherein a first seven rows of the first mapping matrix Pare applied when the total number of spatial streams for the at leastone receiving station is set to seven (7), wherein a first five rows ofthe second mapping matrix P are applied when the total number of spatialstreams for the at least one receiving station is set to five (5), andwherein the second mapping matrix P is configured in a form of and$\begin{bmatrix}P_{2} & P_{3} \\P_{4} & P_{5}\end{bmatrix},$ P₂ to P₅ are four different 3-by-3 submatrices.
 6. Thetransmitting station of claim 5, wherein a number of the VHT-LTF symbolsis set to six (6) when the total number of spatial streams for the atleast one receiving station is set to five (5).
 7. The transmittingstation of claim 5, wherein the plurality of VHT-LTF symbols are used toestimate a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) channel of a wirelesschannel of the at least one receiving station.
 8. The transmittingstation of claim 5, wherein P₁ is determined by $\begin{bmatrix}1 & {- 1} & 1 & 1 \\1 & 1 & {- 1} & 1 \\1 & 1 & 1 & {- 1} \\{- 1} & 1 & 1 & 1\end{bmatrix}.$